U.S. patent number 10,344,963 [Application Number 15/982,063] was granted by the patent office on 2019-07-09 for ear cup customization.
This patent grant is currently assigned to BOSE CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is BOSE CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jesse Flack, Joel H. Miller, Darius Mobed, Joseph Titlow, Lee Zamir.
United States Patent |
10,344,963 |
Mobed , et al. |
July 9, 2019 |
Ear cup customization
Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure provide a headphone assembly
having a customizable ear cups. Specifically, a user may customize
an outer surface of an ear cup assembly by selecting one or more of
color to be illuminated on the outer surface and an insert. The
insert further diffuses the illuminate light. A trim ring that
secures the insert is configured to overlay the lightpipe and a
portion of an ear cup subassembly regardless of the presence of the
insert.
Inventors: |
Mobed; Darius (Watertown,
MA), Miller; Joel H. (Westborough, MA), Titlow;
Joseph (Bedford, MA), Flack; Jesse (Sudbury, MA),
Zamir; Lee (Cambridge, MA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BOSE CORPORATION |
Framingham |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BOSE CORPORATION (Framingham,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
67106271 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/982,063 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V
33/0056 (20130101); H04R 1/1008 (20130101); H04R
1/028 (20130101); H04R 5/033 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
33/00 (20060101); H04R 1/10 (20060101); H04R
1/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;381/371,380,389 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kuntz; Curtis A
Assistant Examiner: Dang; Julie X
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Patterson + Sheridan, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An ear cup assembly of a headphone assembly comprising: an ear
cup subassembly; a reflector positioned on an outer surface of the
ear cup subassembly; a lightpipe positioned on an outer surface of
the reflector; and a trim ring positioned along an outer perimeter
of an exposed surface of the lightpipe, wherein the trim ring is
configured to at least partially overlay the ear cup subassembly,
the reflector, and the lightpipe with or without a customizable
insert positioned between the lightpipe and the trim ring.
2. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the trim ring comprises
an elastomeric ring configured to stretch around the outer
perimeter of the exposed surface of the lightpipe with or without
the customizable insert positioned between the lightpipe and the
trim ring.
3. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the trim ring is in contact with an outer perimeter of the ear cup
subassembly.
4. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the
customizable insert is less than or equal to approximately 1.5
mm.
5. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the customizable insert
comprises a semi-transparent insert.
6. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the customizable insert
comprises an insert including a pattern that diffuses light
illuminated from the lightpipe.
7. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the trim
ring is approximately 1.5 mm.
8. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, wherein the trim ring comprises
a silicone trim ring.
9. The ear cup assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a light
source and at least one processor, wherein the light source is
coupled to the at least one processor and the lightpipe; and a
wireless communication unit coupled to the at least one processor,
wherein the wireless communication unit is configured to receive,
from a source device, a request to change a color displayed by the
light source and illuminated by the lightpipe, and wherein the at
least one processor is configured to update an output of the light
source based at least in part on the received request to change the
color.
10. The ear cup assembly of claim 9, wherein the color is selected
from a combination of preset-colors.
11. The ear cup assembly of claim 9, wherein the wireless
communication unit is configured to: receive a request to save one
or more colors to be displayed by the light source as favorite
selections; receive a command to cycle through the favorite
selections; receive a user selection of one color from the favorite
selections; and control the light source to illuminate the selected
color.
12. The ear cup assembly of claim 9, wherein the request to change
the color comprises a captured image comprising the color to be
displayed by the light source.
13. The ear cup assembly of claim 9, wherein the request to change
the color comprises one of: discrete red, green, and blue values
representing the color, or a singular value corresponding to the
color in a lookup table.
14. The ear cup assembly of claim 9, wherein the wireless
communication unit is further configured to receive, from the
source device, a request to save the updated color, and wherein the
ear cup assembly saves the updated color in response to the
request.
15. An ear cup assembly of a headphone comprising: an ear cup
subassembly; a reflector positioned on an outer surface of the ear
cup subassembly; a lightpipe positioned on an outer surface of the
reflector; and a semi-transparent trim ring positioned along an
outer perimeter of an exposed surface of the lightpipe, wherein the
trim ring is configured to at least partially overlay the ear cup
subassembly, the reflector, and the lightpipe with or without a
customizable insert positioned between the lightpipe and the trim
ring, and wherein the ear cup assembly receives an indication of a
color from an application user device and processes the indication
to determine at least one color to illuminate the lightpipe.
16. The ear cup assembly of claim 15, wherein the at least one
color illuminates at least a portion of the trim ring and at least
a portion of the trim ring is in contact with an outer perimeter of
the ear cup subassembly.
17. The ear cup assembly of claim 15, wherein the trim ring
comprises an elastomeric ring configured to stretch around the
outer perimeter of the exposed surface of the lightpipe with or
without the customizable insert positioned between the lightpipe
and the trim ring.
18. The ear cup assembly of claim 15, wherein the indication of the
color comprises an image including the color received from the
application user device.
19. An ear cup assembly of a headphone comprising: an ear cup
subassembly comprising a light source; a reflector positioned on an
outer surface of the ear cup subassembly; a lightpipe positioned on
an outer surface of the reflector; and a semi-transparent trim ring
positioned along an outer perimeter of an exposed surface of the
lightpipe, wherein the trim ring is configured to at least
partially overlay the ear cup subassembly, the reflector, and the
lightpipe with or without a customizable insert positioned between
the lightpipe and the trim ring, and wherein the light source is
configured to change a color to illuminate the lightpipe and at
least a portion of the trim ring.
20. The ear cup assembly of claim 19, wherein the ear cup
subassembly is configured to: receive an image, from a source
device, capturing a color to illuminate the lightpipe and at least
a portion of the trim ring, wherein the light source is configured
to change the color based on the received image.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to customization
of an ear cup assembly of a headphone assembly. As described
herein, a combination of customizations are selected by a user.
BACKGROUND
Customers view products as form of self-expression. Consumer
products provide a platform to customize everyday products
according to a consumer's desired needs or preferences. Consumers
may feel more connected to products they are able to help create or
customize. Traditionally, customization is a time-intensive and
costly process between a supplier and the consumer. For example, a
specific consumer's preferences need to be understood prior to
creating the product according to the consumer's specifications. As
the demand for consumer choice increases, there is a need for
continued improvement in customization features available for
consumer products, such as audio headphones.
SUMMARY
All examples and features motioned herein can be combined in any
technically possible manner.
Certain aspects provide an ear cup assembly of a headphone assembly
comprising an ear cup subassembly, a reflector positioned on an
outer surface of the ear cup subassembly, a lightpipe positioned on
an outer surface of the reflector, and a trim ring positioned along
an outer perimeter of an exposed surface of the lightpipe, wherein
the trim ring is configured to at least partially overlay the ear
cup subassembly, the reflector, and the lightpipe with or without a
customizable insert positioned between the lightpipe and the trim
ring.
According to an aspect, the trim ring comprises an elastomeric ring
configured to stretch around the outer perimeter of the exposed
surface of the lightpipe with or without the customizable insert
positioned between the lightpipe and the trim ring.
According to an aspect, at least a portion of the trim ring is in
contact with an outer perimeter of the ear cup subassembly.
According to an aspect, a thickness of the customizable insert is
less than or equal to approximately 1.5 mm. According to an aspect,
the customizable insert comprises a semi-transparent insert.
According to an aspect, the customizable insert comprises an insert
including a pattern that diffuses light illuminated from the
lightpipe. According to an aspect, a thickness of the trim ring is
approximately 1.5 mm. According to an aspect, the trim ring
comprises a silicone trim ring.
According to an aspect, the ear cup assembly further comprises a
light source and at least one processor, wherein the light source
is coupled to the at least one processor and the lightpipe and a
wireless communication unit coupled to the at least one processor.
The wireless communication unit is configured to receive, from a
source device, a request to change a color displayed by the light
source and illuminated by the lightpipe, and the at least one
processor is configured to update an output of the light source
based at least in part on the received request to change the
color.
According to an aspect, the color is selected from a combination of
preset-colors. According to an aspect, the wireless communication
unit is configured to receive a request to save one or more colors
to be displayed by the light source as favorite selections, receive
a command to cycle through the favorite selections, receive a user
selection of one color from the favorite selections, and control
the light source to illuminate the selected color.
According to an aspect, the request to change the color comprises a
captured image comprising the color to be displayed by the light
source. According to an aspect, the request to change the color
comprises one of: discrete red, green, and blue values representing
the color, or a singular value corresponding to the color in a
lookup table.
According to an aspect, the wireless communication unit is further
configured to receive, from the source device, a request to save
the updated color. The ear cup assembly saves the updated color in
response to the request.
Certain aspects provide an ear cup assembly of a headphone
comprising an ear cup subassembly, a reflector positioned on an
outer surface of the ear cup subassembly, a lightpipe positioned on
an outer surface of the reflector, and a semi-transparent trim ring
positioned along an outer perimeter of an exposed surface of the
lightpipe, wherein the trim ring is configured to at least
partially overlay the ear cup subassembly, the reflector, and the
lightpipe with or without a customizable insert positioned between
the lightpipe and the trim ring, and wherein the ear cup assembly
receives an indication of a color from an application user device
and processes the indication to determine at least one color to
illuminate the lightpipe.
According to an aspect, the at least one color illuminates at least
a portion of the trim ring and at least a portion of the trim ring
is in contact with an outer perimeter of the ear cup subassembly.
According to an aspect, the trim ring comprises an elastomeric ring
configured to stretch around the outer perimeter of the exposed
surface of the lightpipe with or without the customizable insert
positioned between the lightpipe and the trim ring. According to an
aspect, the indication of the color comprises an image including
the color received from the application user device.
Certain aspects provide an ear cup assembly of a headphone
comprising an ear cup subassembly comprising a light source, a
reflector positioned on an outer surface of the ear cup
subassembly, a lightpipe positioned on an outer surface of the
reflector, and a semi-transparent trim ring positioned along an
outer perimeter of an exposed surface of the lightpipe, wherein the
trim ring is configured to at least partially overlay the ear cup
subassembly, the reflector, and the lightpipe with or without a
customizable insert positioned between the lightpipe and the trim
ring, and wherein the light source is configured to change a color
to illuminate the lightpipe and at least a portion of the trim
ring.
According to an aspect, the ear cup subassembly is configured to
receive an image, from a source device, capturing a color to
illuminate the lightpipe and at least a portion of the trim ring.
The light source is configured to change the color based on the
received image.
Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description
and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a headphone assembly, in accordance with aspects
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example exploded view of an ear cup assembly
of a headphone assembly, in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 3A illustrates an example reflector prior to positioning on an
outer surface of an ear cup subassembly, in accordance with aspects
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3B illustrates the reflector shown in FIG. 3A positioned on
the outer surface of an ear cup subassembly, in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4A illustrates an example lightpipe prior to positioning on an
outer surface of the reflector, in accordance with aspects of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 4B illustrates the lightpipe shown in FIG. 4A positioned on
the outer surface of the reflector, in accordance with aspects of
the present disclosure.
FIG. 5A illustrates an internal side of an example trim ring
including snap features configured to contact the ear cup
subassembly, in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 5B illustrates an external side of the trim ring shown in FIG.
5A, wherein the external side contacts user's ear, in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a semi-transparent removable
insert, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a graphical user interface (GUI)
for selecting a color to be displayed on an outer surface of the
ear cup assembly of the headphone assembly, in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a GUI for capturing a color to be
displayed on an outer surface of the ear cup assembly of the
headphone assembly, in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure provides a headphone assembly with
customizable ear cups. Specifically, a user is able to customize a
color illuminated on an outer surface of an ear cup and/or select
an insert through which a selected, illumined color is diffused.
The customization features described herein allow a user to easily
customize the color, insert, or combination of color and insert on
ear cups of a headphone assembly. Accordingly, an end user is
easily able to personalize a mass-produced headphone assembly.
Regarding color selection, a user may select a color to illuminate
an external surface of an ear cup. The color may be selected from
one of a plurality of pre-set colors stored in a memory of the
headphone assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the colors may
be stored externally to the headphone assembly and may be accessed
via a wireless connection. The color may be selected by a user
cycling through pre-set colors using a control on the headphone or
by the user selecting a color using a GUI at a source device.
In aspects, a user may capture a desired color using a camera at a
source device. The source device wirelessly transmits a request to
display the captured color to the headphone assembly. In response,
the headphone assembly processes the received image and illuminates
a representation of the captured color. According to aspects, a
user can mark one or more colors as favorites. Upon activation of a
feature on the headphone assembly or the GUI, the headphone
assembly cycles through the one or more colors the user identified
as favorites. The user may easily select a color from a plurality
of favorite colors.
In addition to selecting a color, a user may choose an insert to
place on the ear cup. The insert may be made of a semi-transparent
material, to allow light to pass through. According to aspects, the
insert may have a pattern on the semi-transparent material. The
light illuminated from the ear cup passes through the insert to
further customize the appearance of the headphone assembly. To
provide additional options, the user may use an insert made of any
material, color, and, texture. As described herein, the insert may
be secured on the ear cup by a trim ring. Advantageously, the
design of the trim ring allows it to securely fit on the ear cup
with or without the presence of an insert.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example headphone assembly 100, in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure. The headphone assembly 100
includes two ear cup assemblies 102a, 102b connected by an
elongated headband. Each of the two ear cup assemblies 102a, 102b
are loaded on to a different end of the headband using a yoke
member 104a, 104b, respectively. In an aspect, the elongated
headband is pre-formed in an arch shape to comfortably fit around a
top of a user's head. Optionally, a headband cushion 106 covers the
arched portion of the headband. Specific features of a headband
cushion cover are described in application Ser. No. 15/982,019,
titled "SNAPFOLD HEADBAND CUSHION," also filed May 17, 2018, which
is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The headphone assembly 100 may include a wireless communication
unit coupled to a processor and a memory configured to store
instructions executable by the processor. The wireless
communication unit is configured to wirelessly receive audio
signals and commands from a source device. The source device
includes any device capable of generating and transmitting audio
signals or wireless commands to the headphone assembly. For
example, the source device can be a mobile device such as a
smartphone, a tablet computer, an e-reader, or a portable media
player. The source device can also be a portable or non-portable
media playing device such as a TV, a disk-player, a gaming device,
a receiver, or a media streaming device. According to an example,
the wireless communication unit of the headphone assembly
establishes a wireless link with the source device in accordance
with Bluetooth.RTM., Bluetooth.RTM. Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, or
another personal area network (PAN) protocol.
The headphone assembly may include components of an active noise
reduction (ANR) system. The headphone assembly may also include
other functionality such as a microphone so the headphone assembly
can function as a headset.
One or more ear cup customization features are used to illuminate
an external surface of the ear cup assemblies 102a, 102b. 108a is
an example of an external surface on the ear cup 102a that is
customizable through color and/or insert selection. The ear cup
102b has a similar external surface that is not visible in FIG.
1.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example exploded view of components of an ear
cup assembly 102a of a headphone assembly, in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure. The ear cup assembly 102a
includes an ear cup subassembly 202. The ear cup subassembly 202
comprises a driver subassembly 204 and a printed circuit board
assembly (PCBA) 206.
According to aspects, the driver subassembly 204 includes a driver
plate, an acoustic volume, and a driver. According to aspects, the
PCBA 206 houses one or more light sources. For example, the PCBA is
configured to secure a light source that provides an output to
illuminate an outer surface of the ear cup assembly. In an example,
the light source is a red, green, and blue (RGB) light emitting
diode (LED). Additionally or alternatively, the PCBA 206 is
configured to secure one or more switches used to control the
headphone assembly. For example, the PCBA is designed to house one
or more button holders and/or sliding controls that may turn the
headphone assembly on and off, control the volume of an output of
the headphone assembly, change a track played by the headphone
assembly, search for a wireless source device external to the
headphone assembly, and/or cycle through a number of preset or
stored colors that may illuminate an outer surface of the ear cup
assembly. In an example, the driver subassembly 204 may be screwed
on or otherwise attached to the PCBA 206.
A reflector 208 is positioned on an outer surface of the ear cup
subassembly 202. Specifically, the reflector 208 is positioned on
an outer, exposed surface of the PCBA 206. According to an aspect,
the reflector is a sticker, wherein the adhesive side of the
reflector sticker is affixed on the exposed surface of the PCBA
206.
A lightpipe 210 is positioned on an outer surface of the reflector
208. The lightpipe 210 illuminates color output by the light source
onto an outer surface 108a of an ear cup assembly 102a.
A trim ring 212 is removably positioned along an outer perimeter of
the exposed surface of the lightpipe 210. Therefore, the trim ring
212 at least partially, overlays the ear cup subassembly 202, the
reflector 208, and the lightpipe 210. As described herein, the trim
ring 212 advantageously overlays the ear cup subassembly 202, the
reflector 208, and the lightpipe 210 with or without a customizable
insert placed between the lightpipe 210 and the trim ring 212.
While FIG. 2 illustrates an example exploded view of one ear cup
assembly 102a of a headphone assembly, the ear cup assembly 102b
may include similar components.
FIG. 3A illustrates a reflector 208 prior to positioning on an
outer surface of an ear cup subassembly 202, in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure. The reflector 208 is designed to
match and substantially cover the back face 306 of the surface the
ear cup subassembly 202. Accordingly, the reflector has cutouts for
snaps as shown as 302 and a cutout for the lightpipe 210 as shown
at 304. Substantially covering the back face 306 of the ear cup
subassembly 202 facilitates light from a light source, housed in
the PCBA 206, to substantially illuminate most of an outer surface
108a of the ear cup assembly 102a.
FIG. 3B illustrates the reflector 208 positioned on the outer
surface of an ear cup subassembly 202, in accordance with aspects
of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the
positioned reflector 208 substantially covers the back face of the
ear cup subassembly 202.
In an example, the reflector 208 is a sticker made of a mylar
material. The reflector is an opaque white color having a thickness
of approximately 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm. In an example, the reflector is
a smooth, contiguous surface that is free from holes. According to
aspects, double sided adhesive is used to stick or attach the
reflector to the back face of the ear cup subassembly 202. The
double sided adhesive may be approximately 0.05 mm thick.
FIG. 4A illustrates the lightpipe 210 prior to positioning on an
outer surface of the reflector 208, in accordance with aspects of
the present disclosure. The lightpipe 210 is designed to match and
substantially cover an exposed surface 404 of the reflector 208
positioned on the ear cup subassembly 202. Substantially covering
the exposed portion of the reflector facilitates illumination of
light from a light source on to most of an outer surface 108a of
the ear cup assembly 102a.
The lightpipe 210 includes one or more snap features to secure it
to the reflector 210. The lightpipe 210 is designed with a feature
402 that extends through the cutout 304 of the reflector 208. The
feature 402 has an opening that receives light from the light
source housed in the PCBA 208. The lightpipe 210 routes light from
the light source to illuminate the outer surface 108a of the ear
cup assembly 102a. In an example, the lightpipe 210 has small
openings or holes on the surface to help distribute the light.
FIG. 4B illustrates the lightpipe 210 positioned on the outer
surface of the reflector 208, in accordance with aspects of the
present disclosure. The lightpipe 210 substantially, if not
completely, covers the reflector 208.
FIG. 5A illustrates an internal side of an example trim ring 212
configured to contact the ear cup subassembly 202, in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure. In an aspect, the trim ring
includes one or more snap features 502 to secure the trim ring to
the ear cup subassembly 202.
FIG. 5B illustrates an external side of the trim ring 212, wherein
the external side contacts of user's ear when the headphone
assembly 100 is positioned on the user's head, in accordance with
aspects of the present disclosure.
The trim ring 212 is made of a material having elastic properties.
For example, the trim ring may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer
or silicone. The trim ring is clear or semi-transparent, thereby
allowing light to pass through. In an aspect, the trim ring is
approximately 1.5 mm thick.
The trim ring 212 stretches around an outer perimeter of an exposed
surface of the lightpipe. Advantageously, the trim ring 212 fits
along the outer perimeter of the lightpipe 210 regardless of the
presence of an insert positioned between the lightpipe and the trim
ring 212. In an aspect, the trim ring 212 is designed with one or
more undercuts to help the trim ring flexibly secure an insert to
the lightpipe or stay secured on the lightpipe absent the use of an
insert. The insert is described in more detail with reference to
FIG. 6.
The trim ring is clear or semi-transparent, thereby allowing light
to pass through. In an aspect, the trim ring is approximately 1.5
mm thick.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a semi-transparent removable
insert 600, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
The insert 600 is placed on top of the lightpipe to diffuse the
light output from the light source and illuminated on the outer
surface 108a of the ear cup assembly 102a. The insert is designed
to substantially cover the lightpipe and is held in place on the
headset assembly 100 by the trim ring. A selected light color
illuminated through the ear cup assembly 102a will diffuse through
the design 602 of the insert 600 to further customize the
appearance of the headphone assembly 100. While a 2-dimensional
design is illustrated in FIG. 6, the insert may have no design, or
a 3-dimensional design. According to aspects, the insert may be
made of any material. For example, the insert may be fabric.
Additionally or alternatively, the material may have varying
texture. The insert may have varying thickness, wherein the
thickness is approximately less than or equal to 1.5 mm.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a GUI 700 at a source device for
selecting a color to be displayed on an outer surface 108a of the
ear cup assembly 102a of the headphone assembly 100, in accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure. As described above, the
headphone assembly 100 may wirelessly communicate with a source
device. An application at the source device may display a GUI that
allows a user to select one of a number of pre-set colors to
illuminate an outer surface of an ear cup assembly 102a. In an
example, the GUI displays a number of colors and a user may select
a color using the GUI. The source device may transmit a request to
change a color output by the light source and displayed on an outer
surface of the ear cup assembly. In response to receiving a request
to change or update the color, a processor at the headset assembly
is configured to control a light source to output the selected
color.
In one example, the color is selected from a combination of pre-set
colors. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a user may create one or more
colors, by varying the amount of red 702, green 704, and/or blue
706 in a created color. The user may vary the amount of red, green,
and blue by adjusting a respective color slider displayed on the
GUI. The user may adjust the amount of black or white in the
created color using the slider 710. As the user varies the red,
green, and blue components, and/or the darkness of the color, the
color display 708 updates to provide the user with a visual
indication of the created color.
The user may save a created color using the save preset 712 option.
According to an aspect, a user saves a number of favorite colors
using the save preset 712 feature. Thereafter, the user may access
the saved colors via the application and/or headphone to easily
select a color from among one of the saved colors.
FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a GUI 800 for capturing a color to
be displayed on an outer surface of the ear cup assembly 102a of
the headphone assembly, in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure. In an aspect, a source device is used to capture an
image of a color to be illuminated on an outer surface of an ear
cup assembly. A user uses a camera of the source device to view and
capture the desired color. In an example, the user touches and
drags cross-hairs 802 to move the cross-hairs to the specific
location to center on a desired color. The user may tap the
cross-hairs 802 to capture the color in the middle of the
cross-hairs. The user may save the captured color using the save
preset 804 feature.
According to an aspect, a user saves a number of favorite colors
using the save preset 712 feature and/or the save preset 804
feature. Thereafter, the user may access the saved colors via the
application and/or headphone to easily select a color from among
one of the saved colors.
In an example, the headphone assembly 100 includes a button that
when activated, cycles through the saved favorite colors or a
number of recently-used colors. The colors may be any combination
pre-set colors, created colors, and captured images of colors. In
an example, the user may press the button and the headphone
assembly 100 may cycle through the user's identified saved favorite
colors. The user may activate another button to select the desired,
saved color.
In an example, the headphone assembly announces a name of a color
as the respective color is illuminated on the surface of the ear
cup assembly 102a. Using text-to-speech voice prompts, a user is
able to enter in a color name associated with a color and the
headphone assembly is configured to announce the stored color name
as it cycles through preset colors. According to aspects, after the
user has selected a color to be illuminated on the surface of the
ear cup assembly 102a, the headphone assembly is configured to
announce the name of the selected color. Announcing a name of a
color as it is displayed on the surface of the ear cup and
announcing the name of a selected color allows the user, who is
potentially wearing the headphone assembly, to know what
customization lighting preset is displayed/selected without a user
taking off the headphone assembly and/or without use of the
application on a source device displaying the customization
lighting preset.
In an example, the application may display images of the saved
color, and the user may select the desired color. A user selecting
a color (preset, created, or captured) triggers a transmission by
the source device to the headphone assembly 102a to change a color
displayed by the light source. Specifically, within the headphone
assembly 100, a wireless communication unit 100 receives the
command and a processor processes the command to change or update a
color displayed by the light source and therefore illuminated by
the lightpipe. The processor is configured to change or update the
color to match the user's color selection.
The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable
any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not
intended to be limited to the examples and designs described
herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and novel features disclosed herein.
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